Kaiser covers the sleeve?

At my seminar today, the surgeon said that Kaiser covers VSG.

So, for those with Kaiser, I found this link stating their criteria for referral:
http://www.permanente.net/homepage/kaiser/pdf/38105.pdf

But I need to know how many years of documentation they need at a particular BMI. For instance, Aetna (my insurer) wants two years of documented proof at your qualifying BMI.

Also, that document is their "referral criteria." Do they have a separate qualifying criteria to meet? Or is this it?

My husband's company has open enrollment at the beginning of the year and we can switch from Aetna to Kaiser but I need to make sure that it would be worth it for me based on my medical history. I know Aetna has approved some VSGs but I think it's still rare that they will. The surgeon today said he has never had Aetna approve a single VSG so far, even when his office did appeals and he did a peer-to-peer with Aetna.

Oh, great, I just noticed this part:
The patient must be under the care of a PMG
physician for an appropriate period of time for the
physician to be familiar with the patient's medical,
social and psychological status prior to referral.

Well, geez, what do they consider an appropriate period of time? Ugh, this is all so discouraging. Mexico is looking better and better.

Hi Mandy,

Yes, Kaiser does cover the sleeve. That was my reason to switch my insurance provider when I had wasted almost two years trying to get qualified with HealthNet, as it seems to be the case with Aetha for you. In the end, they decided I did not have a medical reason for VSG, which I later came to find out was not the truth (asthma).

The process at Kaiser is lengthy, but the staff, in fact the whole team runs like a well tuned machine. They are coordinated, and require you to attend different workshops, and such. In the end, you come out a better informed patient before getting surgery.

I'm three days out, and very happy with the team here in NorCal. They do cover it, but you have to make a case for it, but honestly, in the end, if like me, that's what you feel is the right surgery for you, they will respect your decision instead of pushing you towards bypass (which happened with me and I still got sleeved!).

Thank you for the info! You said it's a lengthy process...can you tell me about how long the process took?

Here, in Colorado, it took a year from starting the weight loss journey until I got my sleeve.  I attended a 7 week "Weight Connections" class.

Then had once a month sessions with the weight loss counselor for about 5 months, then took a 12 week "Surgical Connections" class.

About a month later (after a psych eval), I got my sleeve.

This was in October of '08.  Since then I have attended once a month sessions with the weight loss counselor.

HTH,

Fred

Hi-jack....Lookie there!  Mr.Fred has a smilin face!  Good to see you!

I didn't have to demonstrate any history at a certain BMI or above. Just met the minimums (and then some).

I got the sleeve with Kaiser although it wasn't officially offered as an option. All the literature and pre-surgeon appointments I had discussed only band and RNY. It was my surgeon who looked at my medical history (I've had three prior abdominal area surgeries) and suggested doing the sleeve because of scarring interference concerns.

The process, no matter which procedure, takes most about a year in Northern Cal, I hear. (Although if you cram, you might be able to do it in less time.) There was a multi-week info/support class, an orientation, a nutrition class (1/2 day), a lifestyle class (1/2 day), dr's appointment for a referral, obgyn appointment (mandatory for the referral), psych eval appointment ... and then the multiple surgeon appointments as I prepped.

Good luck!

Hey Laura, I just had my psych eval friday in Fremont.  Dr Hahn has already emailed me saying I can get a VSG...So now I wait for a date...

Ok Mandy, here is my experience...Also you can read my profile to see how long, and why its taken 3yrs...

Anyhoo, we switched to Kaiser cause it was the cheapest ins. offered.  I asked my PCP for a referral to the Bariactric program, and she referred me that day.

I got an appt. for the orientation meeting Nov or Dec 2008.

I got an appt. for a surgical consult for January 2009.  At that appt. I was told to lose 10% (30lbs.)  We are required to call in our wt. every month

  Since the VSG wasn't offered until very recently, I didn't do the psych eval till yesterday.  Now I wait for a date..

I didn't have to attend any "classes" for anything.

I've heard of folks speeding the process along by losing the 10% fast.  Especially if "classes" aren't required...

So all in all, Ya, its taken me a year, but remember, the VSG was not an option so I took my time, hoping it would be offered eventually.

Many Kaisers offer the VSG across the country, just depends on the area...

The main thing is to get the referral to the Bariactric program, and YOUR Kaiser will tell you all the requirements...

I have to tell you that we never cared for Kaiser.  Bad past experiences.  Iam SO impressed with the changes they have made, and really like Kaiser now.  They are so darn organized!

Hope this helps!

That is so funny because I was just telling my mom today that I HATED having Kaiser many years ago. It was the worst! I felt so controlled, like I had ZERO choices of my own (treatment, doctors, etc). They would just tell me how everything was going to be, who to go see, what they would do, etc.

I believe my mom has Kaiser now, or had it until she recently retired, and she loved it. I am glad to hear they have changed.

Truthfully, I'm not a fan of HMOs in general, but what can ya' do.

In Northern California the whole process takes a year- from the day you first ask for a referral to the day you have surgery. Getting approved is fairly easy if you meet the BMI requirements. You don't have to prove how long you have been at the weight and you don't need to document previous weight loss attempts.

Kaiser is a low stress way to go, you don't need to deal with appeals and a lot of requirements, you just need to be patient with their process. Most people lose weight on their own during that year while they are waiting which helps make the surgery safer and the recovery easier.

While I was frustrated and impatient during the first months of the process, I am now SO grateful for the Kaiser hoops, I can't offer enough praise.

They do their darndest to inform you and to ease you into the wls lifestyle. I read about folks who had little pre-op prep, and I think, "Wow, the transition to the post-op life must be overwhelming for you." I'd already spent months weaning myself off my great obsession -- bread items. I'd pared down portions, started working with the food scale and the food journal. etc. ... I was one of those folks who had complications -- and even That I was somewhat prepared to deal with because of the Kaiser program. Now that I'm a 'regular' post-op gal, I feel confident moving forward. I hope you have the same (minus the complications) experience!